Electronics

1. Simu

   Phone

   Usage

   Phones in general, as in the noun cards. "Simu yangu haipati mtandao" means "my phone has no signal"

2. Simu janja

   Smartphone

   Usage

   Literally "clever phone" — say it when you need to distinguish one from a basic handset ("simu ya kawaida")

3. Tableti

   Tablet

   Usage

   Borrowed from English. You may be asked to take it out at airport security

4. Laptop

   Usage

   The English word is what people actually say. Use it when asking whether you can work in a cafe

5. Kompyuta

   Computer

   Usage

   The Swahili spelling. Point to it when you want to use a computer, for example at an internet cafe

6. Chaja

   Charger

   Usage

   From English "charger", as spelled in the noun cards. "Ninaweza kuchaji simu yangu?" asks whether you can charge your phone

7. Waya wa chaja

   Charging cable

   Usage

   "Waya" comes from English "wire". Show the connector type along with the word

8. Power bank

   Usage

   The English term works. Power cuts are common, so it is essential kit. It must go in your carry-on, never in checked baggage

9. Adapta

   Plug adapter

   Usage

   Kenya and Tanzania both run 240V on UK-style square three-pin sockets (type G). Flat pins will not fit, so bring one

10. Soketi

    Power socket

    Usage

    From English "socket". Most sockets have their own switch — nothing flows until you flip it on

11. Umeme

    Electricity

    Usage

    "Umeme umekatika" means the power has gone out — something that happens often enough in East Africa to be worth knowing

12. Jenereta

    Generator

    Usage

    The backup generator lodges run during a blackout. Asking "kuna jenereta?" before you book is worth the trouble

13. Betri

    Battery

    Usage

    Covers dry cells and built-in batteries alike. Torch batteries are sold in any corner shop

14. WiFi

    Wi-Fi

    Usage

    "Kuna WiFi hapa?" asks whether there is Wi-Fi here — the same phrasing as in the internet cards

15. Neno la siri la WiFi

    Wi-Fi password

    Usage

    Literally "the secret word of the Wi-Fi", as phrased in the internet cards. Show it and staff will write it down

16. SIM kadi

    SIM card

    Usage

    Spelled as in the internet cards. Registration with a passport and fingerprint is usually required. Safaricom leads in Kenya, Vodacom in Tanzania

17. SD kadi

    SD card

    Usage

    The camera memory card. You will shoot far more on safari than you expect, so carry a spare

18. Spika

    Speaker

    Usage

    From English "speaker". The same word is also the Speaker of Parliament, so watch the context

19. Kamera

    Camera

    Usage

    Pair it with "ninaweza kupiga picha?" (may I take a photo?). Always ask before photographing people

20. Tochi

    Torch / Flashlight

    Usage

    From English "torch" — needed for blackouts, camping and walking around a lodge at night

21. Kiyoyozi

    Air conditioner

    Usage

    Worth checking for on the humid coast and in Zanzibar. "AC" is understood too

22. Feni

    Fan

    Usage

    From English "fan". Budget rooms usually have only a fan

23. Friji

    Refrigerator

    Usage

    From English "fridge" — use it to ask whether the room has one

24. Runinga

    Television

    Usage

    A coined Swahili word, favoured in Tanzania. In speech people more often say "TV" or "televisheni"

25. Birika la umeme

    Electric kettle

    Usage

    "Birika" is a kettle — for boiling water in your room

26. Mashine ya kufulia

    Washing machine

    Usage

    Literally "the machine for washing". At most lodgings you will instead use the hand-washing laundry service, "dobi", which appears in the noun cards

27. Pasi

    Iron

    Usage

    For borrowing an iron at your lodging. "Kupiga pasi" means to iron something

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